Damage reduction

Contents

Description

Absorption or damage reduction is an effect found on some shields, focus items and Warrior-specific equipment that reduces physical damage, provided from some Enchantments against all types of damage and provided by the Lightbringer title effect against all types of damage from certain foes. All sources of absorption except for Knight's/Ascalon Armor are global; they will reduce damage no matter which part of the body is hit. There are five main sources of absorption: Warrior Armor, Runes, Shields, Focus items and Skills.

Sources of Absorption

vs. physical damage

Armor

The Knight's Insignia reduces physical damage taken by 3. This effect is not global, and the damage reduction only applies to hits taken on the area of the body covered by the insignia. Example: If you place the insignia on your chest armor, it will reduce the damage approximately 37.5% of the time.

Runes

Runes of Absorption reduce damage by 1-3 depending on potency. Minor Runes of Absorption reduce physical damage by 1, Major by 2, and Superior by 3. Runes of Absorption only reduce damage from physical damage and have no effect on spells or other sources of damage. Runes of Absorption do not stack with each other. This effect is global.

Shields

Shields may have up to two of the four different physical damage reduction modifiers, each with different requirements. Only physical damage is reduced since the July 13th 2006 update. Before this update all kinds of damage were reduced. Two absorption modifiers on the same shield will stack so long as both requirements are met. Shield absorption is global and does not depend on which direction you are hit from.

Focus items

Quest and Collector items

Some quests and collectors may provide items with absorption properties, such as Blankets for the Settlers, Ruins of Surmia, or Martel Bastions. These modifiers are similar to shield absorption modifiers and will reduce damage so long as their requirements are met. However, this kind of damage absorption is not a property found on dropped items, so do not expect to find a dropped weapon with an absorption effect.